Dental Uh-Ohs!

Dental emergencies can happen at any time at any place. Be prepared for what might happen so you can handle a potentially day ruining situation. Here are some tips for you because at one point or another you or your children may come across a situation like one of these. And to help you prepare for these types of situations, the American Dental Association suggests that you become familiar with the following procedures.
Like any other emergency or urgent situation, dental emergencies require prompt action and are just as important. Injuries to your teeth or gums can result in infection, fractures, nerve and/or blood vessel damage.

• Toothache-When a toothache occurs, rinse your mouth with warm water and gently floss to remove food particles that may be trapped in the space surrounding the tooth. Contact your dentist to arrange treatment.
• Knocked-out Tooth-In the event of a tooth being knocked-out, carefully grab the tooth by the crown and rinse the root in water, if the tooth is dirty. Do not to scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue fragments. Then, either gently place the tooth back in its socket or store it in a small container with milk. Next, seek immediate treatment.
• Broken Tooth-Should you experience a broken tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and then apply a cold compress to your face to help reduce swelling. Next, call or see your dentist for urgent care.
• Tongue or Lip Bite-If you accidentally bite your tongue or lip, gently cleanse the affected area with a cloth. Then, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Should you experience heavy bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t stop after a short period, seek immediate treatment.
• Issues with Braces-Should a loose or broken wire from your braces cause mouth irritation, use wax, gauze or a small cotton ball to cover the wire. If the wire is caught in your cheek, tongue or gums, do not try to remove it yourself. In either case, seek immediate care from your orthodontist or general dentist.
• Jaw Injury-In the event of a jaw fracture or injury, apply a cold compress and seek immediate care from your local emergency room.
• Swollen Face or Neck-Hold ice pack to swollen area. 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Seek medical attention promptly.

For any questions or advice on keeping your teeth healthy and strong or if you would like to be seen at our office call (270) 442-0256 or click here for an appointment.